Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated visitation panels for five of the state-owned tertiary institutions.

The panels were inaugurated on Wednesday inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa.

Diri said education will remain a top priority of his administration as it plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the young people and in the socio-economic development of the state.

He described members of the panels as seasoned professionals, accomplished with diverse backgrounds and experiences that would enhance the transformation of the institutions.

According to the governor, the objectives for setting up the panels is to evaluate the institutions? performance in alignment with their mandates as well as to assess academic standards, financial management, staff, and student?s welfare, infrastructure and the policies of the management of the institutions.

Diri charged the panels to among others identify challenges and recommend reforms, review the implementation of previous visitation panels, and as well provide benchmark performance against regulatory frameworks.

?This initiative is underpinned by the guiding principle of transparency, accountability and a genuine desire for progress in our tertiary institutions,? he said.

Diri implored the management and governing councils of the institutions not to perceive the exercise of the visitation panels as a witch-hunt but rather as a collaborative and constructive effort by his government to ensure that the teaching and learning process was seamless.

The panel for University of Africa, Toru-Orua, has Dr. O.O. Osusu as chairman while Prof. Ibaba Ibaba, Prof. Augustine Ikein, Prof. Godwin Jackson, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni, Prof. ThankGod Apere and Dr. Achimota Dickson are members.

For Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Prof. Steven Odiowei is chairman while Prof. Gesi Angaye, Ms. Onoye Beredugo, Prof. Tawari Fafunye, Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Tekenah, Dr. (Mrs.) Effua Koroye and Barr. Fedude Zimugha are members.

The chairperson for the Bayelsa State Medical University, Yenagoa, panel is Dr. (Mrs.) Martina Ebikake-Nwanyanwu, with Prof. Francis Sikoki, Prof. Diepreye Ere, Prof. Tonye Ogriki, Mrs. Effua Beredugo, Dr. Yopele Banigo and Dr. Emmanuel Denenu as members.

Bayelsa Polytechnic, Aleibiri has Prof Kingsley Alagoa as chairman of the panel while the members are Iwekumo Agbozu, Prof. Zikieni Yelebe, Dr. Ayebaesin Beredugo, Dr. Ikiedo Okeogbene, Dr. Guagba Berezi and Mr. Simeon Obesi.

The visitation panel for Major Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, has Prof Steve Azaiki as chairman and the members are Prof. Paul Igbongoli, Prof. Donbebe Wankasi, Mrs. Rafi Souwari, Dr. Ogbe Richard, Barr. Affini Egbegi and Prof. Young Torunarigha.

Responding on behalf of the members, Dr. Osusu thanked the governor for taking the right step in setting up the panels, which, according to him, was long overdue.

Osusu noted that by established laws, each tertiary institution ought to have a visitation panel every five years and promised that they would be guided by the scope and terms of reference laid down by the government.

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